In this investigation, anatomical characteristics of Iranian native WOODs fromUlmaceae family: Ulmus glabra, Ulmus carpinifolia, Zelkova carpinifolia, Celtis australis have been compared. These 4 WOODs are similar and have been used in Iranian historical buildings and their identification would be important. Among 4 species, Zelkova carpinifolia is somehow similar to Celtis australis while, Ulmus glabrar is close to Ulmus carpinifolia. Boundary cells of rays in Zelkova carpinifolia and Celtisaustralis are bigger than inside cells of rays. The difference between Zelkova carpinifolia and Celtis australis are in ray width. Ray width of Celtis australis is 7-8 cells, whereas Zelkova carpinifolia 5-6 cells. The color of soluble (Glycerin +water) which have been used for softening of WOOD samples (2×2 cm) for Zelkova carpinifolia got golden color but others grey. The difference between Ulmus glabra and Ulmus carpinifolia are in appearance of rays. The appearance of Ulmus carpinifolia’s ray is short and wide while ray of Ulmus glabrar is tall and slender. Meanwhile the frequency of rays in cross section of Ulmus carpinifolia is 6-8 per millimeter but in the case of Ulmus glabrar the figure is 4-5.

Ephedra shrubs are among native species of Iran and Turan habitat but their anatomical and physical characteristics have not been studied yet. In this study, physical characteristics of WOOD logs from three ephedra species including Mianeh Ephedra (Ephedra intermedia), Goats Beard Ephedra (Ephedra major) and Deserts Ephedra or Central Asian Ephedra (Ephedra strobilaceae Bge.) from desert areas of Yazd province were studied. Results shows that Iranian ephedra species similar to the others species show three key anatomical structures: Vessles, Theracheids and, Fibers. The presence of big pits simillar to tracheid pits in some vessel elements support the idea that they are a bridge group linking angiosperms and gymnosperms. Important anatomical features of Iranian ephedras include occurrence of clear and dendroied bodies, elongated and very hetrogenous WOODen rayes and latticed vascular valves. Anatomical differences between the three ephedra species provide the key to identify them. There was not any significant difference between average physical characteristics (wet and dry density, shirinkage and swelling). Whereas, average shirinkage and swelling in radial direction was significantly higher than those in tangentiels direction.

Understanding the WOOD technological features depends on anatomical characteristics of the WOOD itself. Unfortunately, researchers in Iran have not focused on this issue recently. There are many trees and shrubs in the desert areas of Dasht-e Kavir and Dasht-e Lut whic WOODy anatomical features are not yet studied. We studied one of these species, Calligonum comosum (Polygonaceae). Three mature shrubs were selected and small cubic samples of WOODy stem and root were taken. Micro-sections were obtained with microtome and after dying with Astra-blue and Safranin the sections were mounted in Canada balsa and the anatomical features were investigated. The results showed that differences between roots and stems exist. The distinct growth rings in the stems and indistinct rings in the roots, the presence of gums in the stems and absence in the roots, and lower ray width of the stems compared to the roots were observed and inherent characteristics that have been reported by other researchers were determined. The most important difference between Calligonum comosum’s roots and stems is parenchyma-like fibers in the thin-walled roots which cannot be distinguished from axial parenchyma. The ground tissue of WOODy roots is parenchymatous cells full of starches, which probably can be related to the drought situation of deserts. The bark of Calligonum comosum contains priderm and sclereid cells which make the bark stiff and hard. Also the properties of particleboard produced from Calligonum comosum’s WOOD showed that boards has at least technical characteristics of European Standard EN 312 and hence the cultivation of this species for stoping of erosion of soil is advised and it is suitable species for desertification and its WOOD can be used to produce WOOD based panel.

In this report, fiber biometry and microscopic features of pomegranate WOOD were discussed. For this purpose, pomegranate trees were selected and cut from the gardens of Neka city (Mazandaran province). Three discs of 5 cm thickness were prepared at breast height, 2.5 m height, and 3.5 m height. In the transverse direction, the test specimens were cut 2 × 2 cm to 3 cm from the pith to the bark sequentially and were examined. Fiber biometric properties including fiber length, fiber lumen diameter, fiber diameter and cell wall thickness were measured. Also, the anatomical properties of pomegranate WOOD were studied according to the IAWA list of microscopic features for hardWOOD identification using a light microscope. WOOD anatomical features of pomegranate are as follows: diffuse-porous with multiple vessel groupings in the radial direction (in most cases), homogenous rays, simple perforation plates, alternate intervessel pits, the average length of vessel elements shorter than 350 microns. The results of fiber biometrics showed that there is a significant difference in the length of fibers, the diameter of fibers, the diameter of fiber lumina, and the thickness of the cell wall of the fibers, both in the radial, and in the longitudinal direction of the pomegranate tree stem. So that the biometric properties of the fibers increased from the pith to the bark. The average fiber length, fiber lumen diameter, fiber diameter and cell wall thickness of the fibers were measured as 0.75 mm, 22.5 µm, 18.3 µm and 4.2 µm, respectively.

Phlomoides(Lamiaceae: Lamioideae) is a species rich, widespread, and taxonomically complex genus. A COMPARATIVE anatomical study of the petioles and leaf lamina of 17 Phlomoides taxa representing 4 sections of the genus distributed in Iran was carried out to evaluate interspecific relationships and anatomical features that may be useful in species identification and subgeneric classification. The general leaf ANATOMY of Phlomoides species presented here corroborates earlier studies in Lamiaceae and on a few studied species in the genus. Leaf ANATOMY provides valuable characters that are useful in subgeneric classification as well as species discrimination in Phlomoides. The most important diagnostic characters are as follows: the shape of transverse section, length of ventral and dorsiventral axis, number of median bundles in the petiole, number of cell layers of palisade and spongy parenchyma, type and thickness of collenchyma as well as trichome type. Based on the present study and in accordance with previous works, some large sections such as Eremostachys appears to be natural, while circumscription of sect. Filipendula should be revised.

Athel tamarisk (Tamarix aphylla) is a fast growing, evergreen tree succeeding in the most soils and can tolerate the saline conditions. Despite its ecological importance and wide distribution in central and southern parts of Iran, WOOD properties of this species has little been concerned. However, the potential of this species in cellulosic industries of Middle East dry countries has recently been focused. Hence, to study WOOD ANATOMY and physical and chemical properties of Athel tamarisk, 3 stands were selected and felled from Zabol region (Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran). WOOD anatomical features of this species were studied and listed according to the IAWA list of microscopic features for hardWOOD identification. In addition, lignin distribution in xylem was studied using fluorescence microscopy. Calculating fiber biometry features assessed that although fiber quality is not superior but meets the standards of paper production, comparing other commercially-used hardWOODs in this industry. According to chemical composition analysis, cellulose content of this WOOD is rather low (39%) which could be a result of large amount of thin-walled paranchyma cells in xylem. Lignin content is a bit higher than average hardWOODs and this component is concentrated in vessels and fibers. Physical properties of studied WOOD samples (specific gravity and shrinkage values) were in the range of other light-weight and fast-growing hardWOODs and thus this WOOD is expected to have similar end-use quality.

WOOD samples of upper Triassic-middle Jurassic were collected from eastern Alborz, Gheshlagh coalmines. These samples were collected from trunks and roots of the remaining standing trees and some scattered timbers. Thirteen samples were transferred to the lab and were investigated after being prepared in the form of thin layers and sections. All of the materials were identified as Gymnosperm-like WOODs of pycnoxylic tracheidoxyl Homoxylous type. These are kinds of fossil WOODs in which the WOODy cylinder is not dissected by the thick parenchymatous WOOD- rays (so-called manoxylic WOODs). Almost in all samples (but one) the growth ring boundaries were not distinct and there was no resin canal. One can identify at least two genera, one of which was reported previously in Kerman. Based on the WOOD remnants and the leaves of the plants such as Scytophyllum, Equisetes, Ferns, Ginkgos, and also Coniferes, the age of Gheshlagh is assumed Triassic.

Studying and comparing the WOOD ANATOMY and fiber morphology of the Field Elm trees that grow in different sites, along with assisting us in the identification and grouping of the Ulmus spp. will help us understand the reaction of these species to different climatic factors. In this study, some WOOD anatomical characteristics and fiber morphology of Gorgan and Komijan native Field Elms (Ulmus carpinifolia Borkh.) were investigated. The results showed that although these trees exhibit some outlined features of Ulmus spp. they also have unique properties (i.e. delicate spiral thickening in the earlyWOOD vessels of Komijan or fused rays in Gorgan samples) which have not been reported for these species so far. Moreover, the Komijan samples had pronounced narrower tree rings and tyloses in the vessels while this feature was almost absent in Gorgan samples. Some of these differences - especially vessel related features- were linked to the colder and drier climate of Komijan but in order to have a better understanding of the other observed dissimilarities, more studies need to be conducted.

We arranged an investigation on new grown branches of 10 one-year seedling of Eucalyptus gunnii clone 634 to detect tension WOOD formation. Thin sections up to 5 microns were prepared by hystoresin method with a rotary microtome in serial form from apex towards base and were stained through various staining methods to detect tension WOOD. The results showed that tension WOOD formation in the form of gelatinous fibers, took place too early and it is visible at a distance of about 2 centimeters from apex after 20 days of tissue formation.